Menu

On the Shoulders of Giants: A Mighty Day for Dad

I have lovely childhood memories of my mom reading books like Goodnight Moon and Green Eggs and Ham to me at bedtime.

But when it was my dad’s turn, it was more of a battle. Literally. Having served as a torpedo bomber pilot in the U.S. Navy during WWII, dad lulled me to sleep with war stories about his missions in the Pacific or the time he had to make an emergency landing because his engine caught on fire.

Dad didn’t limit his Naval enthusiasm to bedtime. He roused me in the morning with a hearty rendition of “Anchors Aweigh.” He “rallied the troops” by marching down the hall barking: “Battle stations, man your battle stations. Make preparations for getting under way. Set the special sea and anchor detail.”

During the 1980s, Dad kept his Navy medals in a frame on the wall by his leather Lazy Boy recliner. And when my friends came to visit and asked him about them, he would look up from his New York Times crossword puzzle and roar, with a gleam in his eye: “What? You mean DeeDee never told you I was in the Navy?”

The event was organized by Sandy Duggan, a volunteer and chair of the We Honor Veterans program for Home Health and Hospice Care in Merrimack, N.H. Dad’s event was just their second official ceremony, and it was planned to coincide with my monthly cross-country visit as well as his 93rd birthday. It came together quickly. I had considered waiting so that more of our family, including my husband and son, could be in attendance. But then I decided it was important to do it as soon as possible. Dad has been part of the HHHC hospice program for several months and he has dementia, so I wanted to give him the opportunity to be as healthy and aware as possible when receiving this honor.

Dad has good days and bad, so just to be safe, we initially planned to hold the festivities in his room at the retirement community where he lives. But as word spread and the guest list grew, we took a gamble and moved the party to the large sunny parlor down the hall. I hoped he would be awake and interested in participating when the time came.

I breathed a sigh of relief when he made it to the room and was transferred into a wingback chair, flanked by Navy veterans. But did he know why he was here? Did he realize this military celebration was for him?

As the Home Health & Hospice Care Wellspring Singers began with “America the Beautiful,” his smile flickered on and off. He listened attentively as fellow WWII Navy veteran Preston Walsh, a member of the VFW in Hollis, N.H. read a list of his accomplishments and thanked him for his service. But it was when event organizer Sandy Duggan knelt beside him that I saw it was all sinking in.

Before she placed a pin of appreciation on his lapel, she looked him in the eye and explained that everyone in the room was there to honor him for his service. She told him how much he was appreciated. His eyes welled with tears and so did mine. His love for his country and military pride were still present, if only for that moment.

As part of the ceremony, I read a letter from the Secretary of the Navy written to my dad in 1945. And one of dad’s caregivers, also a Navy veteran, shared his thoughts about my dad’s service. The ceremony concluded with rousing renditions of “Anchors Aweigh” “When the Saint Come Marching In,” and “Happy Birthday.” And then, as is the case with any fine celebration, there were cupcakes.

As one of the younger veterans in attendance took his leave, he shook my hand and said: “Be sure to tell your dad that his generation paved the way for us. We stand on the shoulders of giants like him.”

Lately, I know my dad doesn’t always feel like a giant. And I think he and I both miss the power and authority he used to wield before dementia took hold. But this was a mighty day for dad, when we all got a glimmer of the officer and gentleman that he once was and always will be. And for that I am forever grateful.

Check out honoring veterans for more information about the services hospice offers to recognize the men and women who have served our country.

Wow. Just wow. What a beautiful and touching tribute to your dad – both past and present. The photos are great – looks like he could still take a punch to the chin and not feel a thing (not that I am suggesting you punch your dad in the chin).

Diana ~ What meaningful words — and a lovely tribute to your Dad. I know much of it comes from a place of anguish and grief, but your blog is a testament to the power of love, in so many ways. I am enjoying catching up with you and your life a bit through it. Thank you for sharing ~

Hi Laurie,
It’s so wonderful to hear from you! Hope you and your family are doing well. Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet comment. I really appreciate it. I didn’t realize that the blog would be such a great way to reconnect with people, but it really has been. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. xo